Characterization

Characterization

What is Characterization?

Methods of Characterization

Types of Characterization

How would you describe this person?

What is one word that comes to mind when you see this person?

What is Characterization?

• Characterization is a literary device used by writers to help create a work of writing.

• Characterization in literature is the way that an author introduces, develops, and describes a character. The character may be described directly by the author or indirectly through the actions, thoughts, and speech of the character.

Multiple Choice

What is characterization?

• A literary device used to help create writing.

• A tool used compare two things.

• A way for a writer to describe the setting.

• A way for readers to learn words they may not know.

Multiple Choice

How do authors use characterization in literature?

• Authors use characterization to trick the reader into reading.

• Authors use characterization to describe the setting.

• Authors uses characterization to introduce, develop, and describe a character.

• Authors use characterization to create a comparison of two different things.

Types of Characterization: Direct/Explicit

• This kind of characterization takes a direct approach to building a character. 

• With direct characterization, the author, narrator, or even the protagonist (main character) tells the reader about the character.

• Example: Georgie was cunning and greedy.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Direct characterization uses an indirect approach to build a character.

• True

• False

Types of Characterization: Indirect/Implicit

• This kind of characterization takes a subtle approach to introducing a character.

• The audience must draw conclusions about the character by observing the character’s thought process, behavior, speech, manner of speaking, appearance, and responses to and from other characters. 

• Example: On a crowded subway, Georgie slipped her hand into the man’s pocket and stole his wallet.

Multiple Choice

Q. 

This type of characterization tells the reader the qualities of a character by directly stating them

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Q. 

This type of characterization requires the reader to infer meaning based on what the character says, does, or thinks. It can also be inferred from what other characters say.

• direct characterization

• indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

What is a character?

• The act of describing a character or their qualities

• The plot

• A person in literature, a play, or film.

• They are often the villain in a story.

Multiple Choice

Direct or Indirect Characterization?: “Everybody knew Bagheera, and nobody cared to cross his path, for he was as cunning as Tabaqui, as bold as the wild buffalo, and as reckless as the wounded elephant.”

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Multiple Choice

Direct or Indirect Characterization?: From Bleak House by Charles Dickens

“It must be a strange state to be like Jo, not to know the feeling of a whole suit of clothes—to

wear even in summer the same queer remnant of a fur cap; to be always dirty and ragged; to shuffle

through the streets, unfamiliar with the shapes, and in utter darkness as to the meaning, of those

mysterious symbols so abundant over the doors and at corners of the streets, and on the doors and in

the windows. To see people read, and to see people write, and to see the postman deliver letters, and

not to have the least idea of all that language.”

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Multiple Choice

Jason is an excellent accountant who works full-time for his best friend's company. A larger accounting firm contacts Jason and offers to pay him twice what he makes if he will work for them. Jason thanks them for their offer but declines. He doesn't even tell his friend that he received the offer.

What trait best describes Jason in this scenario?

• loyal

• honest

• hard-working

• greedy

Multiple Choice

Eric's car broke down in the woods and his phone wasn't getting a signal. He used his car antenna as a spear and caught fresh salmon. He started a fire with sparks from his car battery, and he ate the cooked salmon while waiting for help.

What trait best describes Eric's character in this scenario?

• unprepared

• resourceful

• smart

• cursed

Multiple Choice

Michael has clothes all over the floor of his bedroom. Underneath the clothes on his floor is a pizza box with crusts in it. Underneath the pizza box is a bunch of pieces of a board game that Michael played and didn't put away. Michael sat on his unmade bed with his shoes on and played video games all night.

What character trait does Michael demonstrate in this passage?

• messy

• careless

• lazy

• honest

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and then answer the question below: 
"No, indeed. I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all," [the Scarecrow] answered sadly. 
"Oh", said Dorothy, "I am awfully sorry for you."
"Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?"
"I cannot tell", she returned, "but you may come with me, if you like. If Oz will not give you any brains you will be no worse off than you are now." 
Which detail from the passage best shows us that Dorothy is caring and kind? 

• "I cannot tell," she returned..."
• ""I don't know anything. You see, I am stuffed, so I have no brains at all,"[the Scarecrow] answered sadly."
• "Oh", said Dorothy, "I am awfully sorry for you."
• "Do you think," he asked, "if I go to the Emerald City with you, that Oz would give me some brains?

Multiple Choice

In indirect characterization....

• the writer describes the character

• the character's personality is directly described by the author

• the writer reveals the character through STEAL

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "He glanced at her face - her eyes, which were honey brown, and her nose, which crinkled when she smiled."

• Direct characterization

• Indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "Heck kid" - he grinned wolfishly - "them boys at the station know me by now."

• Direct characterization

• Indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "If you want to know the truth, I wasn't feeling that good in the first place."

• Direct characterization

• Indirect characterization

Multiple Choice

Read the passage and determine if it is direct characterization or indirect characterization: "Mark stomped to his room and slammed the door. Everything seemed so unfair.

• Direct characterization

• Indirect characterization